I’ve Inherited a String Program…Now What?

I’VE INHERITED A STRING

PROGRAM…NOW WHAT? K-State CMENC presentation

10 October 2011

Think reasonably…

Before you SCREAM…

Reasonable thoughts…

Breathe

Breathe

Breathe

Breathe

Breathe

Breathe

I can teach.

This is simply a new subject-and it is

actually linked to my primary teaching

subject! (At least they didn’t assign me

to shop or remedial sciences)

I have some string background (Thank

you KSU!)-but I most definitely need to

brush up my skills.

How should I plan for this class?

Ok…you are feeling a little more calm…

What do I have, where is it, what do I need, and

how can I get it…

The “Stuff”

Band/Choir Room DITTO

Everything that you do to prepare for your upcoming year in band/choir—you also do for strings.

Instrument/Supplies inventory

What do I have on my campus(es)? Is there a printed inventory? Check with the finance office about records submitted to them—even if outdated, it’s a start.

ORGANIZE! You are going to have to be a multi-tasker in your new position which means things need to be organized and easily accessible. Redo that old inventory and already begin assigning lockers, etc., before it all begins.

Do I have a roster with instrumentation given? Do I have instruments for these students?

Find the local string dealer and ask string colleagues about the instruments they have and their rental guidelines. Are they comparable? Do they provide fast service? Did you trust them when you walked in the front door?

What is wrong with this instrument?

Ditto, 2

Rock stops, rosin, bows (that match the length of the instrument), shoulder rests, mutes, peg dope, straws, corn pads, auto detailing tape, powder pads, rags, chair straps (boards), rubber bands, medical tubing, electrical tape, strings, paper clips.

Music Library

What do you have?

Are there printed programs anywhere? Compare the literature that they have played and use that as your starting point.

Lucksmusic.com

Jwpepper.com

Fjhmusic.com

Lorenz.com (Latham String Publications)

Etc.

Ditto, 3

Talk to your campus principals

What do they expect from the string program? Where could the strings be better used in the campus community?

Basketball games

School Board functions

School Foundation benefits

Strolling Strings

Contact a few parents on the roster (perhaps ask the principal for recommendations)

Ask them to meet at a local coffee shop to introduce yourself, discuss the traditions of the program, and to see where they see the program going.

Ditto, 4

Talk to your other music teachers in the district!

What counting system is taught at the elementary level?

Scheduling (class day and outside of the class day)

Combination Concerts?

What musical ensembles and other school activities do your students also participate in?

Is there a Youth Symphony?

Are church activities the norm?

Are all of your cellists on the Varsity Football team?

Are all of your 2nd violins in color guard?

Umm…but I now need to think about curriculum

I’m starting to feel a little bit better…

Get excited!

Now you get to TEACH it!

Kids are kids…whether they play

violin, sing tenor, or march the tuba…

Levels of String Teaching

Level One-Beginners (Late Elementary or Early Middle School)

YOU need to be able to play these instruments better than your students.

YOU must feel comfortable demonstrating

Don’t try to finish the whole method book in one night before classes start-stay a few pages ahead of your students (on each instrument)—and maybe start in June, too!

Choose/locate your method book and PRACTICE! (Essential Elements, Book 1 or Orchestral Expressions, Book 1)

Also, Rhythm A Day, Anne Witt (Belwin)

Encourage private lessons as soon as possible! Nothing beats one on one instruction.

Level Two-Intermediate (Middle School)

YOU STILL need to be able to play at least ONE of these instruments better than your students. They should be developing problem solving skills by now and should also start to see the relationships between the instruments—and if they don’t—teach them!

Use a supplemental method book (Like Essential Elements Book 2, Essential Elements Techniques, Orchestral Expressions Book 2, Expressive Techniques for Orchestra (Tempo Press)

Bow strokes should begin to develop, scales expand, additional FPs added, vibrato, shifting, etc.

Levels of String Teaching, cont.

Level Three (Early High School)

Continue use of many of the method

books listed in the MS section. Add

Daily Warm-ups by Michael Allen (also

available in Full Orchestra version)

At least two scales should be at three

octaves (basses at least at 2 if not in

private lessons).

Continue to fine tune RH and LH

techniques

RH: spiccato, portato/loure, marcato, martele,

sautille, etc. Full rectangle bows, not two

triangles. Long tones

LH: FPs on all strings, begin FPs in new

positions, vibrato, shifting gracefulness,

Region, State Ensembles

Fine tune, fine tune, fine tune

Level Four (Late High School)

Fine tune, fine tune, fine tune

Prep students for college auditions-

whether a music major or not!

Sample curriculum from Midway ISD, Waco, TX

Curriculum

More tools

Begin solo and ensemble opportunities early!

Sight-read DAILY!

Finger Patterns!

Practice full body warm-ups. Stretch for no injuries!

Insist on full bow (more air!)

Weight, Speed, Placement

Bow from your arms and your back (your elbow CAN move without moving your shoulder), steer from your wrist and your fingers

LH-Close doesn’t cut it. Start with tapes for 1, (3, 4, 4), 4 (4th pos, 3rd pos + 4) (not the full fingerboard tapes) and switch them to black after year one. Fully remove them about 6 months after that.

Know how to tune instruments and restring them.

Rotational seating-all important and matter to the overall sound of the ensemble. Circle ensembles/rehearsals.

Ensemble critiques from recording of rehearsals

Student conductors (lead warm-ups, etc.)

Encourage string music camps

Bring in guests! Performances, demonstrations, clinicians, etc.

As your classes get older, do not be afraid to demonstrate using your primary instrument.

…And watch the numbers grow!